"That's the worst defensive display in the 15 years I've been here, so it's very disappointing that we did not defend at all today," Brown said. "It didn't matter what defense we played, we just gave them layups and uncontested shots."

Sophomore guard Aaron Calixte sank two free throws with 4.9 seconds left and UAlbany was unable to convert two late shots, losing for only the second time in its past 26 league games.

Maine (6-11, 2-2 AE) won its second straight conference game behind efficient offense and a scrambling defense.

"Hopefully, it's one we look back on in the future and say, that was a big day for us," said Maine coach Bob Walsh.

The Great Danes (14-5, 3-1 AE), who had their seven-game winning streak halted, shot 46 percent overall, but were held to 32 percent (10-for-31) in the second half.

Senior Peter Hooley, the catalyst for UAlbany with a game-high 29 points, three assists and two steals, tried to put the loss into perspective.

"That's the good part about it happening early, I guess, is that we have so many opportunities to change that and fix it and I'm sure we will," Hooley said.

Hooley, who injured his left wrist on a fall late in the game, had it wrapped in ice afterwards but said, "I'll be good to go tomorrow."

Evan Singletary scored 15 points on 4-for-16 shooting and added six rebounds for the Great Danes, who received 12 points and seven rebounds from Mike Rowley and 11 points from Joe Cremo.

UAlbany made 21 of 29 free throws.

Maine was sparked by the return from injury of Issac Vann. The freshman forward, who had not played since Nov. 25, scored a team-high 19 points with five rebounds.

Calixte and Kevin Little tossed in 16 points each and Till Gloger added 11 points for the Black Bears.

UAlbany scored at will during the last eight minutes of the first half, connecting on 10 consecutive shots over a span of 6:49 while building a 48-38 advantage.

Aided by back-to-back turnovers, Maine's Little answered on a 15-footer and a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to five at the break.

"Now they're running into halftime excited, full of energy, and I'm walking into halftime ready to flip out," Brown said.

Vann scored seven straight points, including a dunk off a turnover, to give the Black Bears a 52-51 lead with 16:05 to play. It was a back-and-forth affair the rest of the way with seven lead changes and six ties, but UAlbany's last lead came with 11:17 to play.

The Great Danes later erased a four-point deficit on Hooley baskets 37 seconds apart that made it 77-77 with a minute left, but Shaun Lawton answered for Maine with a putback.

Ray Sanders' steal and layup with 11.2 seconds remaining tied it again, but Calixte was fouled and sank both.